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THE LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY 
IN SOUTH AMERICA 



L. B. BURK 

Investigator in Marketing Live Stock and Meats, Bureau of Agricultural Economics 

AND 

E. Z. RUSSELL 

Specialist in Swine Husbandry, Bureau of Animal Industry 




UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 228 



Washington, D. C. 



October, 1922 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : IBJj 



*°*«*ra#h. 



SF55 



THE LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY IN SOUTH 

AMERICA. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Argentina 3 

Present development of the indus- 
try 4 

The Palermo show jj 

Suggestions for American export- 
ers 13 

Uruguay 14 

The present live-stock industry 14 

Exhibits and sales 20 



Page. 
Uruguay — Continued. 

Possibilities of developing trade o'2 

Brazil 23 

The present live-stock industry 24 

Suggestions for live-stock export- 
ers 30 

Chile 33 



Live-stock breeders in the United States, like all agricultural pro- 
ducers, are manifesting a lively interest in world markets. They 
are especially interested in the possibilities of exporting cattle, sheep, 
and hogs to South America. Some knowledge of the present devel- 
opment of the industry there and of the types and qualities of live 
stock desired by South American stockmen is necessary to enable 
breeders in this country to plan their operations intelligently. 

The following observations and suggestions are based on personal 
investigations made by representatives of the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile. 

ARGENTINA. 

Argentina is principally an agricultural and stock-raising country 
and ranks among the leading countries of the world in the pro- 
duction of grain, cattle, and sheep. 

The grain and leading stock-raising sections, comprising the Prov- 
inces of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Santa Fe, resemble the level 
fertile corn and alfalfa regions of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. 
The climate, however, is more mild, much like that of our Southern 
States. In the extreme eastern part of the country there is plenty 
of rainfall to produce satisfactory crops of corn and potatoes when 
modern methods of planting and cultivation are used, but southward 
and westward of the central part of the Province of Buenos Aires 
the rainfall diminishes rapidly. 

The mild climate, fertile soil, and wide stretches of alfalfa, which 
remains green and is satisfactorily grazed throughout the year, make 



4 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

Argentina almost an ideal country in which to produce live stock of 
all kinds. In addition to corn and alfalfa, large crops of wheat, 
oats, flax, and barley are harvested annually. 

PRESENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY. 

Until recently development of the live-stock industry has been 
largely confined to beef cattle, sheep, and horses, but during the 
past few years the swine and dairy industries have been growing 
rapidly. Statistics of the Department of Agriculture of Argentina 
showing the number of live stock in that country for the year end- 
ing December 31, 1917, which are the latest figures available, indi- 
cate the extent of the live-stock industry: Cattle, 27,052,586; sheep, 
44,855,000; goats, 4,583,330; swine, 3,259,456; horses, 8,823,237; 
mules, 595,194. 




Fig. 1. — Hereford cattle grazing on alfalfa in Argentina. 
THE BEEF-CATTLE INDUSTRY. 

The Shorthorn breed of cattle has been the most popular for many 
years, although recently lively interest is being manifested in the 
Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, and Polled Shorthorn breeds. The type 
generally seen is slightly longer in body, legs, and neck and lacks 
the smoothness of the more compact type of this country. This type, 
no doubt, is the result of an attempt to maintain the size of the range 
steer in Argentina. In the United States the necessity for making 
rapid and economical gains in the feed lot has caused the compact, 
short-legged, smooth, early maturing type of animal to predominate. 

In traveling from one breeder's ranch to another, many of which 
are 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 acres in size, large herds of excellent 
breeding cows with straight-lined, wide-backed calves by their sides 
are seen. Some are pure bred, but the larger part of them are grade 
cows of superior individuality. Pure-bred bulls of good type are 
allowed to run with them. Steers of different ages in the adjoining 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 5 

pastures, growing fat on the green alfalfa, show the splendid results 
of crossing pure-bred bulls with high-grade cows. 

Live stock graze all the year round on-natural pasture. It is under- 
stood that during a very hard winter small quantities of feed in the 
form of oats or alfalfa are provided for a short period, but as a 
general thing feeding is unusual and breeders avoid it because of 
extra expense. 

The value of the grading-up practices which have been in prog- 
ress for many years in Argentina was brought out clearly in the 
cattle seen in September, 1920, at the stockyard in Buenos Aires. The 
type, size, and finish of the steers were strikingly uniform and practi- 
cally all carried the Shorthorn markings. At that market, cattle are 
sold by the head and not by weight, and are auctioned off instead of 




Fig. 2. — Fat steers tal 



?n off alfalfa at the close of winter in Argentina, 
average weight, 1,300 pounds. 



Age, 3 years ; 



being sold as they are in the larger markets of this country. At that 
time choice, grass, fat steers were selling for the equivalent of 7 cents 
per pound. 

The daily yardage charge at Buenos Aires in 1920 was about 45 
cents per head for cattle, 20 cents for hogs, and 12J cents for sheep. 
In addition, the seller allowed the buyer 15 cents per head on cattle 
and 45 cents per head on hogs to reimburse him for possible loss on 
account of bruises, tuberculosis, or other diseases. No allowance was 
made for sheep. The commission for selling was 3 per cent of the 
gross sales. 

The demand for pure-bred cattle in Argentina is limited, but good 
prices are being paid for well-fitted animals of the type and breeding 
desired. It should be remembered that breeders in Argentina demand 



6 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

the best that this country can offer and that mediocre, half-fat animals 
are not wanted at any price. 

The rate of exchange, tarfff, and outbreak in Brazil of rinder- 
pest, a very fatal and contagious disease, have caused trade condi- 
tions between the United States and Argentina to become unsettled 
temporarily, but it is believed that when conditions become normal 
there will be considerable demand for breeding cattle of our leading 
breeds, as well as for hogs, sheep, and horses. 

SHEEP RAISING. 

Sheep raising ranks next in importance to the cattle industry in 
Argentina. In the Province of Buenos Aires, which is the most 
important sheep-raising district, sheep are raised entirely in the 
open and are allowed to graze with cattle and horses. The flat fields 
range in size from 250 to 1,800 acres, and the black soil produces 
excellent grass. Water is generally provided by windmills, often 
located at the corner of four pastures. The water is good and found 
at a depth of 4 to 30 feet. 

A flock of sheep generally consists of from 500 to 1,000 head. 
However, some breeders are subdividing their farms and reducing 
the size of their flocks in order to give better care. 

In the southern part of the Province of Buenos Aires the Lincoln 
seems to be best adapted to the climatic conditions and is the -breed 
which gives the largest profits, both from the standpoint of quan- 
tity of meat and weight of fleece. Some grade Merinos in good 
condition were also seen in the fields. 

It is said that 25 years ago most of the sheep were Merinos. Spe- 
cial attention was given to wool production, but little or no atten- 
tion to mutton. With the establishment of packing houses came 
higher prices for mutton and it became more profitable to produce 
sheep for mutton than for wool. This caused a greater demand for 
sheep of the mutton type, and both Merinos and native sheep were 
crossed with Lincoln rams in order to produce an animal more nearly 
that type. As a result not only an increased production of meat 
was obtained, but also a heavier fleece of coarse quality. Although 
this coarse wool usually commands a lower price than the grade 
Merino, the difference is claimed to be offset largely by the heavier 
weight of the fleece. 

During the war the prices of all kinds of wool were so high that 
the profit from wool, even if it was coarse, was greater than that 
from meat. At the present time the prices of coarse wool are again 
so low that breeders will undoubtedly find greater profit in the 
production of meat and most of them will prefer to increase pro- 
duction along that line. However, some breeders are considering 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 7 

the use of Merino rams to improve the quality of wool, but how ex- 
tensively this will be done is uncertain. 

In the warmer northern and western Provinces Lincolns do not 
develop so well; the fleece is shorter and coarser and does not have 
so good a color or luster as in the southern regions. It is generally 
considered that this difference is due to the climate and quality of 
pasture. 

In the Territories of Neuquen, Rio Negro, and Chubut, greater 
attention is given to the quality of the wool. Most of the sheep are 
crossbreds produced by crossing high-grade Merinos with Romney 
Marsh and Lincoln rams. Lincolns, however, are not used exten- 
sively, as they have not given good results. In the Territories of 
Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego the Romney Marsh breed pre- 
dominates and for the present it does not seem that other breeds 
will be introduced. 

There are also many ranch owners who have large pure bred flocks. 
Ordinarily high-class rams sell well, but during the fall of 1920 
they sold slowly, probably because of the low price of wool. Every 
year a considerable number of pure-bred sheep are imported from 
England and other countries. 

The mortality caused by storms and winter weather does not ex- 
ceed 5 per cent in normal years. Stomach worms and scab are also 
liable to cause some loss in the flocks. Stomach worms are not bad 
except in wet years, when the grass is especially rank. Scab is con- 
trolled by dipping three consecutive times, 15 to 20 days apart, the 
first dipping usually being done immediately after shearing. This 
is followed by special applications by hand if spots of scab are still 
visible. Dipping after shearing is always beneficial, but if it is done 
too early in the spring there is danger of pneumonia. About a month 
before lambing begins the sheep are given a bath, followed by hand 
treatment. 

The workmen employed for the care of sheep are generally Ar- 
gentinians, but a few are from southern Spain. On the better 
farms a man and his family are employed who live in a house some 
distance from the main farm buildings and who have the exclusive 
care of 1,000 to 1,500 sheep. These men are called "puesteros." 

The herders and men for general work on a ranch received in 
1915 $12 to $14 a month with food and lodging. The puesteros 
who, with their families, had charge of a flock, received during the 
same period $16 to $20 per month and in addition a small interest 
in the lambs, which would amount to about $7 a month. In some 
cases the owner of the farm provided the entire supply of food for 
the puestero and his family; in other cases he provided only the 
meat. Since 1915 wages have increased 30 to 40 per cent and cost 
of food about 80 per cent. 



8 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

Sheep shearing covers a period of several weeks. Approximately 
80 per cent of it is done by machine and 20 per cent by hand. Many 
of the landowners have their own shearing machines, but some make 
contracts with professional shearers. 

When the sheep are ready for market they are driven to the sta- 
tion and loaded on stock cars that go direct to the market, very much 
the same as is done in the United States. 

In the Buenos Aires sheep-grazing region the land belongs to pri- 
vate individuals. It is estimated that about half of the land used 
for pasture is managed by the owner and half is rented. In 1914 
rents varied from $1.60 to $2.25 per acre. Contracts usually cover 
three to five years. Since 1914 rents have advanced nearly $1 per 
acre. 

Recently the high rents have brought about a tendency on the 
part of live-stock breeders in the Province, of Buenos Aires to devote 
more time to the breeding of cattle than sheep because, as a general 
thing, cattle return larger profits. Therefore, the high price of beef 
and the low price of wool, if they continue, will probably cause the 
interest in sheep breeding to diminish. It is also found that sheep 
destroy a stand of alfalfa more quickly and require more attention 
than cattle. In certain districts where grass is plentiful dairying 
is also tending to replace the sheep industry. The rate at which this 
change will take place will depend on the future prices of wool and 
mutton as compared with the prices of beef and dairy products. 

HOG RAISING. 

At the present time comparatively few Argentine farmers are rais- 
ing hogs. However, the mild climate and long growing season, to- 
gether with the abundance of corn and alfalfa, furnish very good 
conditions for economical pork production, and it is believed that 
the industry will expand within the next few years, and that even- 
tually a much larger percentage of the corn crop will be marketed on 
the hoof than at present. An increased number of swine will doubt- 
less bring about a greater demand for breeding animals and the 
United States seems to be the logical place to get them. 

Most of the hogs are produced in the corn and alfalfa sections. 
It is the general practice in most sections to raise hogs in small 
pens without green feed. 

During recent years a few ranchmen have begun producing hogs 
in large numbers and on some ranches as many as 5,000 or 10,000 
are raised annually. They are allowed to graze over the alfalfa fields 
and are driven by men on horseback much the same as cattle. On 
the large ranches hogs are raised entirely in the open and barns or 
sheds are seldom provided. 

The principal breeding seasons are the same as in the United States, 
except that the Argentina farmer breeds a larger number of sows 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 9 

in May and June than he does in November and December. As in 
this country, it is considered advantageous to have the larger per- 
centage of pigs farrow in the spring, and September, October, and 
November are the spring months in Argentina. During the breed- 
ing season the sows and boars are turned into the alfalfa pastures. 
One boar is generally used for each 20 to 25 sows. The bred sows 
remain in these fields until a week or ten days before farrowing, when 
they are transferred to another alfalfa field and given a liberal ration 
of corn in addition to the alfalfa. The sows are closely watched and 
small piles of straw are placed in semicircles for the sows about to 
farrow. After farrowing, alfalfa is the only feed allowed for about 
15 days, and then dry shelled corn becomes a part of the ration. 

When the pigs are about three weeks old creeps are provided, 
so that corn is available at will. Best results are obtained when the 
corn is soaked before it is fed to young pigs, because most of the 



Fig. 3. — Hogs grazing on alfalfa in Argentina. 

corn grown in Argentina is of a flint variety and is very hard. 
Automatic waterers are provided in all pastures. Usually the pigs 
wean themselves. After weaning they are allowed to graze on 
alfalafa and are fed corn until they weigh about 100 pounds. Then 
they are either fed a full corn ration in the alfalfa pastures or are 
allowed to "hog down" corn' in adjoining fields, until they attain 
market weight. Most of the hogs are sent to market when they 
are from 9 to 12 months old and weigh from 200 to 275 pounds. 

Two diseases, cholera and foot-and-mouth disease, menace the 
swine industry, and have thus far prevented its making more rapid 
progress. Steps are now being taken, however, both to manufacture 
antihog-cholera serum in Argentina and to import it from the United 
States. 

On August 17, 1920, receipts of hogs at the stockyards at Buenos 
Aires amounted to 2,102 head. These hogs were neither good nor 

105982—22 2 



10 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

uniform in quality. They represented a mixture of Berkshire, 
Yorkshire, Poland China, and Duroc-Jersey breeding, most of 
which were black in color, some spotted, and a few white. There 
was not a single full load that would be graded as good on any of 
our leading markets. Some good individuals were included in most 
of the loads, but, taken as a whole, they showed little or no attempt 
to produce a uniform, easy-feeding animal. Packer buyers, how- 
ever, made the statement that most of the good-quality hogs raised 
in Argentina do not go through the public stockyards, but are 
bought direct from the producer. 

The hogs were sorted before being sold. A good many pigs, thin 
in flesh, were sold as feeders at 8 to 10 cents a pound. Fat hogs 
brought about 12 cents on the same day. It was jioted that stock 
hogs were neither vaccinated nor dipped before leaving the yards, 
which would seem to make their purchase a rather hazardous under- 
taking. There is no official system for price docking for stags, 
piggy sows, or diseased animals, such as is practiced in the United 
States. It was stated that about 8 per cent of the hogs killed were 
affected with tuberculosis. 

Several large packing plants in Buenos Aires and neighboring 
large cities supply a ready market for cattle, sheep, and hogs. All 
of these plants are located at some distance from the stockyards, most 
of them about 30 miles. This makes it necessary for packer buyers 
to reload and ship all the stock they purchase, thus entailing consid- 
erable expense and loss of time. Most of the meat produced is ex- 
ported to Europe, although some of it is sent to the United States. 

DAIRYING. 

The dairy industry of Argentina is growing and is proving a 
profitable business. So far the large number of beef -breeding cows 
that are milked in that country, together with the small population, 
has not been conducive to the rapid development of specialized dairy- 
ing. However, the mild climate, long grazing season, and the avail- 
ability of cheap grain are favorable conditions and, as the popula- 
tion increases, there will undoubtedly come a greater demand for 
dairy products and a corresponding increase in the demand for dairy 
cattle. 

In the sections near the cities of Tandil, Buenos Aires, and Ro- 
sario the dairy industry already shows considerable development, 
and the Holstein-Friesian breed is the most prominent. In the past 
the export demand for butter and cheese has been a very important 
factor in the success of the dairy business. 

With the exception of foot-and-mouth disease, which usually oc- 
curs once each year and sometimes twice, there are few diseases and 
pests which trouble cattle in the central and southern sections of the 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 



11 



country. This disease is, of course, a particular menace to the dairy 
business, because it not only temporarily stops the flow of milk but 
frequently reduces by at least one-third the total flow for that par- 
ticular lactation period. 

THE HORSE INDUSTRY. 

Argentina has a large surplus of good high-grade mares and geld- 
ings weighing 1,200 to 1,600 pounds, and it was said that such horses 
could be bought for $40 to $50 each. In that country the farmer 
keeps enough horses to make possible changing teams twice a day 
and feeds very little grain. The horses are worked half the day and 




Fig. 4.- 



-Percheron stallion at the 1920 International Live Stock Exposition, Buenos Aires, 

Argentina. 



then turned into the alfalfa field to graze. They are never fed grain 
and worked throughout the day as in this country. 

In view of the low price of horses, it does not seem probable that 
the demand for stallions from the United States will be very great 
during the next few years. At the Palermo show, however, a few 
Percherons, Clydesdales, and Shires, ranging from plain to fairly 
good, sold at $500 to $1,000 apiece. 

THE PALERMO SHOW. 

The Argentine International Live Stock Exposition, usually 
called the Palermo show, held at Buenos Aires in September of each 



12 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

year under the management of the Argentine Rural Society, serves 
as a good barometer of the demand for the qualities desired in live 
stock. The demand for high-class cattle in 1920 appeared to be gen- 
erally good, while plain individuals sold very cheaply in comparison 
with the others. Of course an inferior individual occasionally 
brought a high price. Some phenomenal prices were paid for the 
grand champions of each class, the Shorthorn, Hereford, and Angus 
champions selling for $36,666, $30,000, and $11,660, United States 
currency, respectively. Average prices, however, were not so high 
as they had been at previous shows. Imported cattle from the 
United States and England, of special breeding with which the buy- 
ers were familiar, brought very good prices, but it was reported that 
medium stock was practically unsalable. 

The exposition grounds at Palermo are very beautiful and are 
kept in perfect condition. The buildings are elaborately designed 
and well arranged around the judging rings. All of the judging 
is done in the open. The rural society provides feed and care for all 
live stock sent for exhibition. However, foreign exhibitors should 
bear in mind that all the feeding is done by " peons," who usually 
are not skilled in handling animals. 

The public seemed to be interested principally in cattle, which is 
not surprising in view of the large number of cattle on exhibition 
and the great interest in cattle production. The exhibit was, in- 
deed, a beautiful sight. The large, well-arranged barns were filled 
completely with cattle of superior quality, well fitted and groomed. 
Approximately 1,800 Shorthorn bulls were exhibited. The judg- 
ing of bulls especially was watched with the keenest interest by large 
crowds of enthusiastic spectators and the judges furnished by the 
English Royal Society were highly praised for their efficient work. 

Arrangements for handling hogs are by no means as complete as 
those for cattle. The pens are uniform in size, about 3£ by 5 
feet, which is entirely too small for the mature hogs shown in the 
United States. The hogs are penned in the barns in the order of 
their catalogue numbers; for example, all the aged Poland China 
boars may be ranged along one aisle, the aged Berkshire boars along 
another, and so on throughout the list, senior yearlings, junior year- 
lings, etc., following in order. This arrangement is convenient for 
the visitor but complicates matters for the exhibitor, as he frequently 
finds his animals scattered throughout the barn. The judging is done 
in much the same manner as in the United States, but the animals 
are not so carefully handled. One or more vigorous fights often 
occur while the hogs are being taken to and from the ring. 

In 1920, 489 hogs were exhibited, apportioned by breeds and sexes 
as follows : 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 13 



Berkshire 128 131 259 

Middle White Yorkshire 14 14 28 

Large Black 8 10 18 

Duroc-Jersey 51 41 92 

Poland China 29 24 53 

Chester White ' 5 8 13 

Tamworth : 8 4 12 

Hampshire 6 2 8 

Spotted Poland China 



Boars. 


Sows. 


128 


131 


14 


14 


8 


10 


51 


41 


29 


24 


5 


8 


8 


4 


6 


2 


2 


4 


251 


238 



Total. 



Total 251 238 489 

Most of the prize winners were extremely small animals of the 
type commonly known in this country as " hot blood." In the 
Poland China and Berkshire classes the judges invariably disquali- 
fied animals showing any white markings except the six white 
points. Apparently, however, low backs and poor feet or legs were 
disregarded. Excessive fat seemed to be desired. 

Practically all the animals entered at the Palermo show are sold at 
auction. Sales of almost all classes of live stock begin on the open- 
ing day and are conducted each day of the show. Hogs are gener- 
ally sold by catalogue number in the pen in which they are exhibited, 
and are not driven out into the arena or sale ring. All the hogs on 
exhibition are consigned to some auction firm and representatives of 
these various firms are on hand to sell the animals consigned to them 
when the numbers are called. 

A selling commission of 6 per cent is paid by the purchaser. The 
auction firm selling the stock gets one-half of this commission and 
the other half goes to the Argentine Rural Society. 

One very satisfactory feature of this sales system is that the auc- 
tion firm assumes all the responsibility for collecting payment for 
the animals sold. The total amount of the sales is paid to the seller 
by the auction firms, and if for any reason the buyer can not or 
does not pay for the animal which ho, has purchased, the seller loses 
nothing. 

The same general plan is followed in selling cattle and sheep. 
Cattle sales often continue a week or 10 days after the closing 
date of the show. It seemed probable that during the early part 
of the show a limited number of very good imported individuals 
from the United States of any of the beef breeds could have been 
sold at satisfactory prices. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR AMERICAN EXPORTERS. 

Argentine stockmen purchase most of their breeding stock during 
August and September. Practically all of these breeding animals 
are bought at public auction on the Palermo show grounds or in 
the various sale barns, which are located in the center of the re- 



14 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

tail business section of the city of Buenos Aires. Exports of live 
stock from the United States should be made in time to arrive at 
Buenos Aires and go through quarantine before the sale season 
opens. The quarantine period is 30 days for cattle and 15 days for 
hogs and sheep. 

It is believed that some high-class bulls of the Shorthorn, Here- 
ford, and Angus breeds would bring good prices. Shorthorns are 
in much more demand than other breeds, although good Holsteins 
are wanted by dairymen. Inferior animals are not wanted and 
should not be sent. A small number of selected females in prime 
condition should sell well. 

Most of the hogs in Argentina are Berkshires yet, judging by 
the sale of the view herd sent down by the National Swine Growers' 
Association in 1920, Poland Chinas and Duroc-Jerseys are more 
in demand at present. The Argentine farmer wants large-type 
hogs although he is not now raising them. Good, large, well-fitted, 
mature boars and sows seem to sell well. The sows should be bred 
and safe in pig, and a doubtful breeder should not be shipped under 
any circumstances. All hogs should be immunized against cholera 
and tested for tuberculosis. The tuberculin test is not required, but 
the shipper should take this precaution for his own protection, as 
all animals are tested- by Argentine Government officials before the}' 
are released from quarantine. 

URUGUAY. 

Uruguay is not much larger than the State of Missouri. The cli- 
mate and rolling prairie lands make it almost an ideal country for 
raising cattle and sheep. The climate is mild, with no snow in win- 
ter, and no excessh r e heat in summer. Montevideo, the capital, is 
located at the extreme southern end of the country, just seven hours 
by boat from Buenos Aires. It is the principal port, and all the rail- 
roads radiate from it. 

THE PRESENT LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY. 

At the present time cattle and sheep raising are the principal indus- 
tries in Uruguay. Only a limited number of hogs are produced, 
probably because of the fact that corn and other feeds essential to * 
profitable pork production are more or less uncertain crops. Corn 
has never been extensively produced because of the lack of rainfall at 
the proper time, the periodical appearance of grasshoppers or locusts, 
and the crude methods of planting and cultivation. In a large part 
of the country the soil is closely underlaid with rock, which pre- 
vents the storing of moisture in the subsoil. The last census, taken 
in 1916, shows the following number of live stock in Uruguay : Cattle, 
7,802,446 ; sheep, 11,472,852 ; hogs, 303,958 ; horses, 567,154. 



The Live-Slock Industry in South America. 



15 



HOG RAISING. 

Hogs are not grown extensively in Uruguay. The breeds most 
commonly seen are Berkshires and Middle White Yorkshires. There 
are also a few Duroc-Jerseys and Poland Chinas. Hog cholera, tu- 
berculosis, and foot-and-mouth disease are the chief diseases encoun- 
tered. 

The packing plants at Montevideo provide a good market at. any 
time for all the hogs produced. 

For the reasons enumerated above it seems doubtful whether Uru- 
guay will ever become an important hog-raising country. 

CAXTLE RAISING. 

On the very large ranches large herds of cattle and sheep graze to- 
gether. The grass remains green practically throughout the year, 




Fig. 5.- — Shorthorn herd bull on a ranch near Paysandu. Uruguay. 



and other feeding is seldom necessary. Many breeders who produce 
range bulls for sale sow oats for winter and early spring grazing, so 
that their bulls will make a good growth, and be in good condition 
for sale day. A large number of cattle breeders were visited in Uru- 
guay, and all had good equipment for handling cattle. 

The beef breeds rank in numbers about as follows : Hereford, Na- 
tive, Shorthorn, Aberdeen Angus, Polled Hereford, and Polled Short- 
horn. The number of Herefords is much larger than any of the 
others. The Native, a reddish cream-colored or black animal, is a 
very large breed which crosses well with the Hereford, Aberdeen 
Angus, and Shorthorn, and at the age of 3 years makes excellent beef. 
Such steers were selling for 7 cents a pound in August and Septem- 
ber, 1920. 



16 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

There are rather striking differences in type between North 
American cattle and those found in Uruguay. Most of the bulls 
seen in Uruguay were a trifle larger, longer in body, leg, and neck, 
and rather plain in the head. They lacked the compactness, short 
leg, and early maturing qualities of North American cattle. The 
type of cow, however, was similar to that seen in the United States. 
Uruguay was visited during a period of drought and many of the 
cattle were very thin. It was noticeable, however, that the compact, 
deep-bodied animals withstood the drought much better than the 
rangy type. This fact, together with the earlier maturing qualities 
and greater hardiness which usually enable North American cattle 
to withstand the tick fever with fewer losses is causing many Uru- 
guayan breeders to look to the United States for their breeding 
stock. 







Fig. 6.— Purebred Hereford bulls on a ranch near Paysandu, Uruguay. This type sells 
for good prices in southern Brazil. 

A good many ranchmen own a herd of pure-bred cattle and some 
own several. In addition they usually have a herd of high-class 
grade animals, which are really pure bred but can not be registered, 
and frequently another herd of lower grade animals from which 
steers are produced. If the bulls from the high-grade herd are 
well marked they are given extra attention and sold into Brazil for 
breeding purposes. 

According to information obtainable, these " camp " or range 
bulls, when immune to tick fever, sold at about the following prices 
in 1919: Herefords, $400 to $500 each; Shorthorns, $300 to $400; 
Aberdeen Angus, about $250 each. Since that time there has been 
a great reduction in price. 

Both American and English bred cattle were seen on a few ranches. 
These places were visited in the spring after a rather severe win- 
ter, and almost invariably the American-bred cattle were in better 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 17 

flesh than the English animals found in the same pasture. Several 
ranchmen expressed a preference for American-bred bulls. Some 
of them seem to have had the impression that the English-type 
bull is more desirable because it is larger, but they are learning 
that the compact, short- legged American animal is very heavy in 
proportion to its appearance. 

It seems probable that crossing native cows with American-bred 
bulls would produce an animal that would mature earlier and feed 
better through the winter. 

At present tick fever and, the foot-and-mouth disease are the two 
greatest problems facing the breeder in Uruguay. Many breeders 
in that country believe that the presence of the tick is not entirely 
a misfortune, because their principal market is in Brazil, which 




Fig. 7. — Angus heifer on a ranch near Salto, Uruguay. 

is a tick country, and in order to dispose of their bulls profitably 
the stock must be immune to tick fever. 

Almost all of the southern half of Uruguay is tick-free territory, 
and some breeders have ranches in both the northern and southern 
parts of the country. Some breeders think it desirable to have the 
calves dropped in the tick territory, because the loss is very small 
when the animals are infected as calves. Other breeders produce 
their sale bulls in the tick-free territory and give them especially 
good care for the first year in order that they may get as much growth 
as possible, then take them to another ranch in the tick section, 
where they are immunized and sold. A small number die when' 
handled in this way, but the loss is probably not so great as it is 
when the breeding herd is maintained in the tick section. 
105982—22 3 



18 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

Different methods of immunizing cattle are used, but the most 
satisfactory seems to be that of taking the animal, when 12 to 20 
months old, into the tick territory and allowing a few ticks to infect 
it. If too many ticks adhere to the animal it is dipped and allowed 
to become infected again. After the animal contracts the fever it 
is given the best possible care. It is claimed that by this method 
losses are reduced to a minimum. 

It does not seem advisable to send cattle over 2 years of age from 
the United States into the tick territory of Uruguay. It is believed, 
however, if special care is given at the proper time, that North Amer- 




Fig. 8. — Steers on a ranch in Uruguay. 

ican pasture-raised cattle under two years of age will go through this 
fever with very small loss. In 1920 a shipment of 165 cattle was- 
sent to Uruguay from the United States and at least 52 of them were 
sent into the tick regions. One breeder who received 30 lost 2 ; two 
others who received 6 each escaped loss entirely, and another who 
received 10 lost 4. The latter also imported 12 from England and 
lost all but one. 

Foot-and-mouth disease is also a great menace to the live-stock 
industry in Uruguay. It occurs once and sometimes twice each year. 
Sometimes it is very light and comes at a time when the calves are 
large enough to go through it with only slight loss. Of course this 
disease always causes considerable loss in flesh, but, since the cattle 
fatten quickly on the cheap grass, the loss is not considered serious. 
On the other hand, if the disease comes at calving time or just before 
a sale or show, when the animals have been given extra attention 
and high-priced feed for a considerable time, the loss is heavy. 

Despite these adverse conditions, however, the Uruguayan stock- 
man is making a great success of his business. At one ranch 1,400 
3 and 4 year old steers were sold for approximately $83 per head, the 
owner stating that they represented a net profit of $55 each. 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 



19 



DAIRYING. 

Specialized dairying has not been developed to any great extent, 
but since conditions are such as to make it a profitable business, 
it will doubtless become more important as the population increases. 
A few Holstein-Friesians have been imported from the United States 
and the Netherlands and are giving splendid results. Jerseys, Guern- 
seys, and Ayrshires, are not used extensively. 

In Uruguay it is a common practice to milk only once each day. 
The calf is separated from its mother in the evening and in the 
morning a part of the milk is taken from the cow, after which the 
calf is returned to its mother and allowed to remain the rest of the 
day. 

SHEEP RAISING. 

The sheep industry is very important in Uruguay. The sheep 
graze on the pastures with cattle. On some ranches it is estimated 
that the wool clip, lamb crop, and increase in weight of the wethers, 
practically pay the running expenses of the ranch, leaving returns 
from the cattle operations as net profit. 

The most popular breeds are the Lincoln and Romney Marsh, with 
a few Shropshires, Hampshires, and Rambouillets. The Lincoln 




Fig. 9. — Breed and type of rams commonly used in Uruguay. 

and Romney Marsh are preferred because they graze satisfactorily 
with cattle, are of the large, hardy mutton type, and with a little 
attention raise about 85 per cent of the lambs dropped each year. 
Both breeds, however, produce rather coarse wool. Since the price 
of coarse wool has been very low for some time, some ranchmen have 



20 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

been crossing their coarse-wool ewes with Rambouillet and Merino 
rams in order to produce a finer fleece. This has already caused 
considerable demand for Eambouillet rams, and it seems probable 
that this demand will increase. Sheep as well as cattle are affected 
by foot-and-mouth disease, but losses among sheep are seldom so 
great as in the case of cattle. 

THE HORSE INDUSTRY. 

The horse industry is confined largely to the native breed, which 
is very similar to our western range horse. This type of horse 
weighs about 700 pounds, has great stamina, and is used almost 
exclusively for riding. Some of the more progressive breeders have 
imported Percherons, Clydesdales, Shires, and Suffolks from France 
and England, and have for some time been breeding a number of 
large horses. The lack of demand for heavy horses has prevented 
the draft breeds from becoming very popular. 

EXHIBITS AND SALES. 

There are two principal live-stock shows in Uruguay, the National 
Live Stock and Poultry Exposition at Montevideo, and the Live 
Stock and Poultry Exposition at Salto, which is situated in the 
northwestern part of the Republic. 

The exposition at Montevideo is managed by the Rural Society 
of Uruguay and is almost exclusively a cattle show. This show was 
not a large one in 1920 ; less than 300 head of cattle, about 85 sheep, 
and 50 hogs were exhibited. Of the sheep about 60 were Lincolns 
and Romney Marsh and the others Merinos. There were a few 
horses, one a purebred Shire stallion, and the remainder saddle and 
road horses. The poultry exhibition was very good and most of 
the breeds found at shows in the United States were represented. 
The buildings are fine, large structures of brick and stone. They 
are built primarily for the purpose of housing cattle, sheep, and 
horses, no provision being made for hogs. The hogs on exhibition at 
the 1920 shows were placed in the sheep pens. 

The Salto exhibition is also largely a cattle show. There were, 
however, about 350 head of sheep on the grounds, most of which were 
Lincoln and Romney Marsh, with a few Merino and Rambouillet 
rams. About 400 pure-bred bulls and cows and approximately 1,000 
range bulls were shown. Probably about 75 per cent of these cattle 
were Herefords and most of the others were Shorthorns, with only 
a few Angus. Many ranchmen from southern Brazil go to the 
Salto show to buy their " camp " bulls. Sales of these " camp " 
bulls at Salto during the 1919 exposition amounted to something 
like $1,000,000. At the 1920 exposition trade was slow, because of 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 21 

the effect of drought and the depreciation in value of South Ameri- 
can money. 

The judges furnished each year by the English Royal Society for 
the Argentine International Live-stock Exposition at Buenos Aires 
also place the animals at the Uruguavan shows. The awards are 
all made before the formal opening. The cattle are shown in a large 
open arena from which the public is barred. Xo one is allowed in 
this inclosure during the judging except the herdsmen holding the 
cattle, the judge, and the clerk. This plan enables the judge to 
arrive at his decision unhindered. On the other hand, the public 
is denied a close-up view of the animals while they are being placed, 
thereby limiting to a certain extent the educational value which 
might be derived from watching the expert judges at work. The most 
serious fault noted in a very large number of the cattle shown was 
their crooked, weak, faulty hind legs. 

The champion and reserve champion Shorthorn heifer calves were 
fitted by a Kansas man who went to South America with the first 
shipment of cattle from the United States to Uruguay. These two 
calves were strictly North American type and well fitted. It is 
believed that they would have compared well with those exhibited 
at the 1920 International Live-Stock Exposition at Chicago. 

The general system of selling breeding animals in Uruguay is at 
public auction either at sale barns or at the exposition grounds. 
Auction sale barns are located at Montevideo and other cities in the 
country. Both pure-bred and " camp " bulls are sold at a few of 
these barns. It is customarv for ranchmen and farmers to so to 
these centers in August and September to purchase their breeding 
stock. The sales are conducted in much the same way as sales of 
pure-bred cattle in the United States, except that the auctioneer 
cries the bid he has instead of the one he wants. The auctioneer 
sells on a commission basis, the commission being paid by the 
purchaser. 

The sales held at the exposition grounds in 1920 were not so 
good as many of the breeders expected, although a number of bulls 
brought $2,800 to $3,738, expressed in terms of United States cur- 
rency. The highest price paid was $8,411 for an American-type 
bull which ranked ninth in his class. In many instances bulls of 
very inferior type and individuality sold for much more than they 
would have brought in the United States. Herefords sold for better 
prices generally than any other breed. 

A few sales of imported Herefords were attended and those from 
England sold especially well. In one sale, 50 animals sold at an 
average of more than $3,740 and the top price was $18,690. In 
another sale the top price was $25,233. Most of the bulls in these 
two sales were very large, rough, 3-year-olds, and those in the first- 
mentioned sale especially were very fat. 



22 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

POSSIBILITIES OF DEVELOPING TRADE. 

Many breeders are of the opinion that considerable trade will de- 
velop between the United States and Uruguay when the rate of ex- 
change returns to normal, especially if the cattle can be immunized. 
Uruguayan live-stock breeders seem to be especially alert regarding 
their business and are striving continually to improve their herds. 
They have excellent stock and doubtless will continue to sell a large 
7.umber of breeding animals into Brazil. Just now the demand ap- 
pears to be for Hereford, Shorthorn, and Aberdeen Angus cattle, a 
few Poland China and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and Rambouillet rams. 
If the people begin farming more extensively there may be a small 
demand for heavy horses, but probably not for some time yet. 

It is very doubtful whether many breeders will come to the United 
States to buy their stock. European countries make it a practice to 
take their stock to Montevideo for sale. Under this arrangement it 
is comparatively easy for the Uruguayan breeder to visit the auctions 
and select his stock. Naturally he would much rather make his pur- 
chases in this way than to buy from the United States and spend con- 
siderable money and time in getting the animals home, even if the 
stock obtained is not quite so good. For this reason it may be neces- 
sary in the development of trade between the United States and 
Uruguay to send animals to that country to' be sold at auction. Only 
animals that are in good flesh should be shipped. 

Those who are interested in the development of a permanent live- 
stock trade with Uruguay should consider carefully all the details 
relative to the exportation of live stock to that country, especially 
the difference in the rate of exchange. It is also advisable to consult 
some reliable auction firm or dealer in Uruguay before shipments are 
made. It is doubtful whether hogs or sheep should be sent into 
Uruguay except on order. There is only a limited demand for them, 
and any one sending such stock to be sold at auction may easily be 
disappointed with the returns. It is possible that in a few years 
the demand may increase to such an extent that consignment sales 
will be justified. 

Before any animals are shipped careful inquiry should be made 
relative to the latest regulations, including quarantine, export papers, 
pedigrees, transfers, and the method of signing and legalizing 
all documents. The Uruguayan Government requires a quarantine 
period of 30 days for cattle and 15 days for sheep and hogs immedi- 
ately after unloading. Before leaving the United States all breed- 
ing cattle must be tested for tuberculosis by a Government official. 
Hogs should be tuberculin tested and immunized against cholera for 
the protection of the shipper. The Uruguayan and Argentine Gov- 
ernments will not accept a test certificate from other countries, but 
make their own tests of all cattle and hogs coming into the country. 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 



23 



BRAZIL. 1 

Brazil is about as large as the United States and has a wide varia- 
tion in soil and climate. With the exception of a few sections in 
Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo, and Minas Geraes, the country resembles 
the mountainous regions of southern Missouri. In Rio Grande do 
Sul, Sao Paulo, and Matto Grosso there are wide stretches of prairie 
land similar to the rolling country of northern Missouri. In the 
mountainous regions a large part of the land is covered with either 
grass or timber. It is too rough to be cultivated successfully. The 
deep, red clay loam in the central and southern part of Brazil appears 
to be very fertile. 

Transportation facilities, except in a part of the States of Sao 
Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are very poor. On most of the railroads 
there are only two or three trains a week. This makes it necessary 




-Fig. 10. 



-These hogs had been driven 50 miles on the way to market, 
about 3 miles a day. Faxina, Brazil. 



They average 



to drive live stock long distances to market or loading points. Until 
recently wagon roads were very poor, and they are still limited in 
number, but during the last few j^ears marked improvements have 
been made. Many Brazilian landowners now own automobiles and 
are becoming more interested in good roads. Oxen are used almost 
exclusively for hauling farm products to market. 

The States of Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, Santa Catharina, Sao 
Paulo, Minas Geraes, Rio de Janeiro, Goyaz, and Matto Grosso con- 
stitute the principal live-stock sections of the country. In all of 
the cleared sections there seems to be an abundance of natural grass, 
which furnishes good grazing for cattle. Much less labor is in- 
volved in the production of live stock than in growing grain, and as 
long as the country remains sparsely populated the people will be 

1 This report covers the southern and eastern parts of Brazil, or the States of Rio 
Grande do Sul, Parana, Santa Catharina, Sao Paulo, Minas Geraes, and Rio de Janeiro. 



24 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

able to obtain a satisfactory income from live stock alone. When 
the population increases they will doubtless farm their land more 
intensively. 

The principal feed crops produced are corn, mandioca, and sugar 
cane. Mandioca is a root crop that supplies an abundance of fat- 
tening feed for hogs and yields heavily without cultivation. Grains 
are grown only in a limited way, in spite of the fact that the climate 
and distribution and amount of rainfall are favorable for the pro- 
duction of abundant crops. Wheat, corn, and oats are grown in small 
patches among the stumps and practically no machinery is used. 
The land is seldom plowed or the crops cultivated. A sharp stick 
is used in planting corn. After the corn matures hogs are frequently 




Fig. 11. — A Mandioca field in Brazil. 



turned into the field to harvest the crop, 
of corn to the acre is not uncommon. 



A yield of 25 to 40 bushels 



THE PRESENT LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY. 

The cattle and hogs of Brazil resemble somewhat the native types 
of southern and eastern Texas. However, a good many well-bred 
animals were found in every section, and many producers have appar- 
ently been attempting to breed an animal which is adapted to local 
conditions and which will yield a more satisfactory carcass than does 
the native type. 

Brazil has comparatively few breeders of pure-bred live stock, 
but there seems to be an increasing interest in better bred animals. 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 25 

Many of the larger coffee plantation owners are raising some live 
stock and some of them are beginning to establish herds of pure- 
bred cattle and hogs. 

CATTLE RAISING. 

The breeds of cattle which seem to give best results in Brazil are 
the Hereford, Shorthorn, Angus, Caracu or native, Holstein, and 
Zebu, which is an East Indian breed. Herefords and Shorthorns are 
imported largely from Uruguay, -Argentina, and England ; Holsteins 
from the United States and the Netherlands; and Zebus from East 
India. The Caracu is very similar in type to the best beef cattle in 
the United States and seems to be able to withstand ticks and 
drought as well as the Zebu. The Zebu is a hardy animal which is 




Fig. 12. — A field as it is usually prepared for corn in Brazil. 

generally used throughout Brazil and is being imported in large 
numbers. It withstands tick fever, the berne fly, and shortage 
of feed especially we'll, requires only a small amount of attention, 
and sires a high percentage of calves. Many Brazilians consider the 
production of a large number of calves much more important than 
the production of animals of superior type and quality. However, 
they are now recognizing the tendency of the Zebu bull to produce 
an animal which yields an inferior grade of beef when slaughtered 
The cattle tick, berne fly (also known as warbles), and foot-and- 
mouth disease must all be contended with in cattle raising. Perhaps 
the greatest drawback to the industry is the tick, which causes a 
fever and is constantly sucking blood from the animal. The De- 
partment of Agriculture of Brazil has succeeded in finding a 
method of immunizing cattle under two years of age against this 



26 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



fever. If the method can be further perfected so that losses are 
practically eliminated, large numbers of Herefords, Angus, Short- 
horns, and Holsteins will doubtless be imported into Brazil. There 




Fig. 13. — Native steers on a range in central Brazil. 

has been considerable discussion regarding an attempt to eradicate 
the tick from Brazil, but so large an undertaking would cost a great 
amount of money and it is doubtful whether it will be done soon. 

The berne fly is a very severe pest, especially in the central part 
of Brazil. Large masses of these worm-like insects collect under the 
skin on the shoulders and back of an animal; in the spring of the 




Fig. 14. — Caracu steers on pasture of Gordura grass, Barretos, Brazil. 

year they come out, causing the animal much annoyance and in- 
juring the skin so that when the animal is slaughtered the hide is 
of very low grade. 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 27 

The manner in which live stock is handled in Brazil makes a 
strong, rugged constitution essential. Oftentimes imported bulls, 
turned out with the herd where they have to rustle for their feed, 
receive little care. Under these conditions they frequently do not 
give the best results. It was observed that when imported bulls were 
given a fair chance, kept away from the cows part of the time, and 
dipped at frequent intervals, they remained in good condition and 
sired just as many calves as the Zebu bulls. 

A number of conditions should be considered in undertaking the 
development of an export cattle trade with Brazil. A permanent 
trade can not be established unless the animals purchased by Brazilian 
farmers will live and give good results. The hot climate, lack of: 







hhbtc^b 






RSI Ed 








ill 1 Wh iSimfl Jr^^^o r^lHffl 






9tH r 




'iiBHia 


■ti 



Fig. 15. — A Zebu bull shown at the Live Stock Exposition at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

care, different kinds of grass, and prevalence of disease make tlm 
life and productivity of imported bulls extremely uncertain. In thii 
first place, all animals from the United States must pass through 
an attack of tick fever. Cattle must be under 2 years of age to 
live through this fever, and it is hard for such young animals to 
become accustomed to the change of feed and climate. Furthermore, 
the Zebu is well established among Brazilian cattle raisers and they 
are not inclined to discard it as long as steers sired by Zebu bull^ 
do not meet price discriminations on the market due to the inferior 
beef produced. Only a limited amount of Zebu meat can be exported, 
however, because Great Britain and European countries discriminate 
against it. Animals sired by Hereford, Angus, or Shorthorn bulls 



28 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

from the United States mature earlier and produce a good quality of 
beef. Breeders are sure to realize these facts sooner or later, and it is 
thought that in the future they will demand more bulls of" improved 
beef-producing breeds. The Zebu will probably be used to give 
hardiness to the foundation stock, but imported bulls from the United 
States and other countries will be used to improve the tj^pe. 



,_ . 
-» 4 










1 J : "-^^>*<fc-*l 


■.«*'^ 


* , 


■ * 




VfJH 
















** ,m* 




i ■ >ma. 








».•-. 


Jl - '^iJHSfe^^**^ ,* 








wKT.: «3HI 




fcjf ' A 


_^^^Bm9\ 




" ' . 






n 




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^T't : ^^r 


-* : ' . *.- 






Pig. 16. — Types of the national breed of swine in Brazil. 
HOG RAISING. 

The leading breeds of hogs found in Brazil are the National (na- 
tive) and Large Black, both of which resemble the large-type hog 
of the United States. They are rather coarse in quality, with low 
backs and poor feet, and are slow to mature. 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 



29 



The common practice is to allow hogs to graze or rustle for a 
living in the timber for the first year and a half or two years. 
Then they are turned into a field of corn or put into a fattening pen 
to be fed for market. Corn is the principal feed used, and in the 
dairy sections it is supplemented by skimmed milk. Large numbers 
of hogs are marketed each year from the sections in which corn is 
grown successfully and which are located near the railroads. 

Duroc-Jerseys and Poland Chinas imported from the United States 
are to be found on a very few farms. Most of the Duroc-Jerseys 
are of good quality and type and the Poland Chinas are of the 
smaller, medium type. They give good results and are becoming 
more and more popular each year. Berkshires, generally imported 
from England, are found in limited numbers. In view of the fact 




Fig. 17. — Hogs feeding on a ranch near Lavi-as, Minas Geraes, Brazil. 

that the Brazilian farmer likes large-type hogs, it is believed that 
the modern type of large Poland China and Duroc-Jersey will meet 
with favor in Brazil. There seems to be no question but that the type 
and slow-maturing qualities of the native hog of Brazil could be 
greatly improved by crossing with boars of some of our earlier- 
maturing breeds. 

Hogs are liable to have cholera and foot-and-mouth disease. 
Cholera causes considerable loss in some sections, but it does not 
spread so rapidly as it does in the United States, because of the 
mountainous character of the country. Foot-and-mouth disease is 
also isolated to a certain extent by the same condition. Ordinarily 
the losses due to foot-and-mouth disease among hogs are not very 
great. However, if the disease appears just before or after farrow- 
ing the litter is frequently lost. 



30 Department Circular 228, U. S. DepL of Agriculture. 

It will probably be some time before any large number of hogs are 
sent from the United States to Brazil. There is, however, some 
demand for hogs of fairly good quality and this demand should 
increase from year to year. 

DAIRYING. 

The dairy business is confined largely to the States of Minas 
Geraes and Sao Paulo. In these two States large numbers of cows 
are milked and butter and chease are manufactured in large quanti- 
ties. However, the dairy business is not carried on in a modern 
way. Very seldom do the cows receive any feed except grass, and 
few up-to-date barns are used. Very few, if any, milk or butter-fat 
records are kept. 




Fig. 18. — A dairy herd near Lavras, Mioas Geraes, Brazil. 

As in Argentina, the cows are commonly milked only once each 
day. Foot-and-mouth disease is a serious menace to the dairy in- 
dustry because of the reduction or cessation of the milk flow incident 
to an attack of that disease. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR LIVE-STOCK EXPORTERS. 

The fundamental conditions upon which live-stock trade between 
the United States and Brazil will depend are: First, ability of our 
live stock to give good results there ; second, the development of the 
agricultural resources of Brazil; third, normal financial conditions. 
The high cost of exportation, the rate of exchange, and the low prices 
that the Brazilian breeder is willing to pay are adverse influences 
at the present time, but, if the first three difficulties are overcome, it 
is believed that the others can be adjusted satisfactorily. All of 
these conditions make the development of trade with Brazil a some- 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 



31 



what hazardous undertaking. Heavy risks must be assumed, espe- 
cially in the early stages, but once proper connections are made and 
confidence is established among a large number of the Brazilian cat- 
tlemen, it seems probable that the trade will assume rather large 
proportions. 

It is not advisable to send our highest class show cattle to Brazil 
at this time. Good, strong, heavy-bodied animals, which are not too 
fine in quality yet in no way inferior, are best adapted to the 
Brazilian trade and should give good returns to the seller and good 
results to the buyer. A few cattle can be sold at the leading shows 
at fair prices, but exporters should not expect to receive very high 




Fig. 19. — Delivering milk in Lavras, Minas Gereas. 

prices until it has been proved that animals from the United States 
can withstand tick fever without a large percentage of loss. Al- 
though Brazilian cattlemen usually expect to lose part of the cattle 
they import, they are naturally disappointed when an animal dies. 
If cattle could be immunized before they are shipped and sold with 
a guaranty against tick fever, a substantial trade would develop 
more quickly. It is impossible to have young cattle appear in sale 
condition immediately following an attack of tick fever, and in 
Brazil, as well as in this country, live stock of any kind sells to a 
better advantage when fat. If the Brazilian breeder can be assured 
of good results, it is believed that he will be willing to pay A 7 ery good 



32 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

prices for North American cattle. This opinion is based partly on 
a report that a Zebu bull imported from India brought $18,000 and 
that an offer of $4,000 was made to the owner of a yearling Holstein 
bull at the International Exposition at Rio de Janeiro in 1920. 

Uruguayan breeders have sold large numbers of bulls to go into 
the southern part of Brazil, where they have been very successful. 
As yet they have not entered the central and western parts to any 
large extent. However, some Uruguayans have been planning to 
sell live-stock into the Matto Grosso country, the western grazing sec- 
tion of Brazil, and it is believed that they will be able to furnish 
cattle that will prove satisfactory there. 




Fig. 20. — Type of stallion used in Brazii. Approximate weight, 800 pounds. 

The low rate of exchange between South American countries and 
the ease with which breeders can obtain bulls from Uruguay and 
Argentina enables them to buy cattle there very much cheaper than 
from the United States. During the first few months of 1921 the 
rate of exchange was so much in favor of the United States that 
prices seemed unusually high to Brazilian breeders. The conto, 
which is ordinarily worth $250 in United States money, depreci- 
ated to such an extent that it was worth only $150 in April, 1921. 
Although the prices of pure-bred live stock in the United States have 
f aHen at least 33-J per cent since January, 1920, the Brazilian breeder 
is not now in a position to take advantage of it. 

In spite of these unfavorable conditions, the Brazilian likes to 
trade with North Americans and will do so if he sees a fair chance of 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 



33 



success. He is willing to pay reasonable prices, but with only a limited 
number of small pure-bred herds, it is quite natural that he is not yet 
ready to pay the high prices that well-established breeders in other 
countries are willing to pay. As soon as more pure-bred herds can 
be established it is believed that there will be ji demand for good 
sires to improve the herds. It seems logical, however, that breeders 
will get the bulk of their foundation stock from Uruguay and 
Argentina. 

The secretary of the rural society in Sao Paulo made the state- 
ment that during the next 10 or 12 years Brazil would require 10,000 
bulls annually and was very enthusiastic about trade with the United 
States. It is believed that the firm or association which becomes well 
known during the early years of development will have a good future 
business. 




Fig. 21. — Types of mares used for breeding purposes in Brazil. 

700 pounds. 



Approximate weight, 



A rather limited demand for light horses to be used almost entirely 
for saddle purposes is apparent. 

Most of the popular breeds of poultry found in the United States 
are used in Brazil. Prices for imported stock are not high. Until 
this trade is developed further it is thought that breeders would be 
unwise to send poultry except on order. 

CHILE. 

The agricultural district of Chile is a strip of territory about 30 
miles wide and 600 miles long on the western side of the Andes 
Mountains and in the southern half of the country. The farms are 
about the size of those in the Corn Belt of the United States. 

While the live-stock business is one of the leading industries of 
Chile, it is not so extensive as that of Argentina, Uruguay, or Brazil. 



34 Department Circular 228, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 




Fig. 22. — Twin bull calves, Santiago, Chile. The foundation stock was imported from 

the United States. 



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4 


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Fig. 23. — Type of cow found in a dairy herd near Santiago, Chile. 



The Live-Stock Industry in South America. 35 

The feed crops are corn, barley, oats, wheat, root crops, alfalfa, and 
clover. 

The Shorthorn breed, of cattle is most common and shows very 
good quality and type. The dairy industry is growing rapidly near 
the larger cities and the Holstein breed is the most popular. One 
of the best dairy herds in all South America was visited in Santiago, 
Chile. Silos and up-to-date equipment of all kinds were being in- 
stalled on the farm. A large number of the cattle in that herd had 
been imported from the United States and were giving excellent 
results. 




Fig. 24. — Purebred Chester White hogs grazing on clover near Santiago, Chile. 

Swine production is carried on only in a limited way, but shows 
promise of great development. Hogs imported from the United 
States were apparently doing about as well as they do here. 

It is believed that a limited demand can be developed for Shorthorn 
and Holstein cattle and for Duroc-Jersey, Poland China, Chester 
White, and possibly other breeds of hogs, but the quality must be 
good. During the latter part of 1920 and the first half of 1921 the 
rate of exchange between Chile and the United States was too much 
in favor of the United States to permit a very large live-stock trade. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 827 055 



. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT 
OF AGRICULTURE. 



Secretary of Agriculture Henry C. Wallace. 

Assistant Secretary C. W. Pugsley. 

Director of Scientific Work E. D. Ball. 

Director of Regulatory Work 

Weather Bureau Chakles F. Marvin, Chief. 

Bureau of Agricultural Economics Henry C. Taylor, Chief. 

Bureau of Animal Industry John It. Mohler, Chief. 

Bureau of Plant Industry William A. Taylor, Chief. 

Forest Service W. B. Greeley, Chief. 

Bureau of Chemistry Walter G. Campbell, Acting 

Chief. 

Bureau of Soils Milton Whitney, Chief. 

Bureau of Entomology L. O. Howard, Chief. 

Bureau of Biological Survey E. W. Nelson, Chief. 

Bureau of Public Roads Thomas H. MacDonald, Chief. 

Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory F. G. Cottrell, Director. 

Division of Accounts and Disbursements A. Zappone, Chief. 

Division of Publications John L. Cobbs, Jr., Chief. 

Library Claribel R. Baenett, Librarian. 

States Relations Service A. C. True, Director. 

Federal Horticultural Board C. L. Marlatt, Chairman. 

Insecticide and Fungicide Board J. K. Haywood, Chairman. 

Packers and Stockyards Administration— 1 Chester Morrill, Assistant to the 

Grain Future Trading Act Administration- 1 Secretaj-y. 

Office of the Solicitor R. w. Williams. Solicitor. 



This bulletin is a joint contribution from — 
Bureau of Agricultural Economics, H. C. Taylor, Chief. 

Division of Livestock, Meats, and Wool, C. V. Whalin, in charge. 
Bureau of Animal Industry, John R. Mohler, Chief. 

Division of Animal Husbandry. D. A. Spencer, in charge. 
36 



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GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

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